where money goes

If you have a plan at work, your IRA deduction might quietly disappear above this income.

For 2026, a single filer covered by a workplace plan loses the traditional IRA deduction between $81,000 and $91,000 of income. Above that, the Roth is usually the better door.

You asked for the IRA door decision card. It is below, as the slides from the post, then the one move, then the tool the chart points at.

Slide 1 of 7: If you have a plan at work, your IRA deduction might quietly disappear above this income.

Slide 2 of 7: Where the traditional IRA deduction phases out in 2026, if you have a plan at work.

Slide 3 of 7: The deduction is the reason to choose a traditional IRA, and above the line it is gone.

Slide 4 of 7: Most people pick traditional or Roth once, at 25, and never revisit it after a raise.

Slide 5 of 7: If you are under the range, the deduction is fully available and nothing here applies to you.

Slide 7 of 7: Save this for the year you get the raise.

Two checks before your next IRA contribution.

01
Are you covered by a plan at work this year?If you have a 401k, yes, even if you do not contribute.
02
Is your income under the range for your filing status?If yes, deduct. If no, use the Roth door.

The tool this chart points at

A low-fee brokerage

For the IRA, the index fund and the rollover. Broad index funds with expense ratios under 0.1%.

Open it

This link may pay Money in One Chart a referral fee if you open an account. Your price does not change. How that works.

Sources: IRS IR-2025-111, November 13, 2025.

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